Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal (includes Non-Technical Summary)

Ended on the 13 March 2019

Appraisal of Vision and Objectives
1. Stage B.1: Compatibility of Vision and Objectives with SA Framework
  1. The Core Strategy Review document presents a Vision for the Borough by 2036, as well as 12 strategic objectives to help guide the LPR, which are set out below. Each has been assessed for their compatibility with each SA Objective (see Table 4-1).
  2. Compatibility was determined by assessing the extent to which the Strategic Objective accords with the SA Objective. Each SA Objective has clearly defined guide questions. The compatibility check identified whether the strategic objectives in the LPR would be likely to make a positive contribution towards achieving the SA Objective or, if by adopting that strategic objective, it may make it more difficult to achieve the SA Objective. This was a holistic assessment process carried out at a strategic and high level. For example, a Strategic Objective in the LPR to improve air quality would be considered to be compatible with SA Objective 7 'To improve or maintain air quality'.
  3. On the whole, the Council's Vision and Strategic Objectives proposed for the LPR are highly compatible with the SA Framework and will be likely to help ensure the LPR delivers socially, economically and environmentally sustainable land-uses and development until 2036. Uncertainties over the compatibility of Strategic Objective 3 with several SA Objectives were recorded. This is because Strategic Objective 3 sets out the desired level of housing and jobs growth by 2036 and the compatibility of this growth is largely dependent on the locations and details of design for each development proposal, which is accounted for during the assessment of sites and site-based policies. Recommendations have been provided for sites to help ensure they contribute towards sustainable development.

Our Vision is to improve the quality of life, health and well-being for all who live in, work in, learn in, play in and visit Ipswich, by supporting growth and ensuring that development happens in a sustainable manner so that the amenities enjoyed by local people are not harmed and the town is enhanced.

By 2036, Ipswich town centre will embrace a greater mix of uses providing opportunities for shopping, leisure and cultural activities, learning, working and living. The town centre, Waterfront and Portman Quarter will provide a range and choice of higher density homes to meet needs including on a redeveloped Island Site, whilst recognising that not everyone wishes to live in a flat. The Princes Street corridor will be a busy office quarter providing modern, flexible Grade A floorspace. Movement around the town centre will be easiest by foot and cycle, using an integrated network of safe, convenient and attractive routes, supported by a high-quality public transport network. The town centre will be inclusive, addressing the needs of the less mobile within a high quality public realm.

Outside central Ipswich, thriving district and local centres will provide local shopping, leisure and services close to people's homes and be at the hub of strong and cohesive communities. Three new neighbourhoods will be completed at Ipswich Garden Suburb with housing delivered alongside a country park and highway, water, energy, education, green and health infrastructure.

By 2036, a range of new homes will be provided across the Borough and within the Housing Market Area to meet needs. The Ipswich economy will have grown hand in hand with the skills and knowledge of the local workforce, providing opportunities for all as part of a strong and prosperous Ipswich Functional Economic Area supported by a successful university. Growth will be supported by modern, fit for purpose infrastructure, and Ipswich will be well connected and offer a range of sustainable transport modes to all its users.

The distinctive network of beautiful parks and open spaces, green infrastructure and open water will be protected and enhanced, to support their use by people and wildlife. The town's tree canopy will be extended and opportunities taken to enhance biodiversity and adapt to climate change. The town's built and natural heritage will be conserved and enhanced and growth will respect the character and distinctiveness of neighbourhoods within Ipswich.

The Ipswich of 2036 will have grown and changed in ways that respect the past and look to the future; it will be a county town that everyone in Suffolk will feel proud of.

Strategic objectives

High standards of design will be required in new development. Development must be sustainable, environmentally friendly and resilient to the effects of climate change. Standards of acceptability will be raised progressively from 2006 (Building Regulations) levels for all developments in the town in terms of design and environmental performance.
Every development should contribute to the aim of reducing Ipswich's carbon emissions below 2004 levels.
At least: (a) 8,622 new dwellings shall be provided to meet the needs of Ipswich within the Ipswich Housing Market Area between 2018 and 2036 in a manner that addresses identified local housing needs and provides a decent home for everyone, with 31% at the Ipswich Garden Suburb and 15% in the remainder of the Borough being affordable homes; and (b) approximately 15,580 additional jobs shall be provided in Ipswich to support growth in the Ipswich Policy Area between 2018 and 2036.
The development of the Borough should be focused primarily within the central Ipswich 'IP-One' area, Ipswich Garden Suburb and within and adjacent to identified district centres (these areas are identified on the key diagram).
Opportunities shall be provided to improve strategic facilities in Ipswich by:

- Significantly enhancing the town centre in terms of the range and quality of the shops, the cultural and leisure offer and the network of the public realm;
- Extending the strategic greenspace, ecological network and canopy cover; and
- Continuing to support the development of the University of Suffolk and Suffolk New College.

To improve accessibility to and the convenience of all forms of transport and achieve significant modal shift from the car to more sustainable modes through Travel Ipswich and other local initiatives. This will: (a) promote choice and better health; (b) facilitate sustainable growth, development and regeneration; (c) improve integration, accessibility and connectivity; and (d) promote green infrastructure as alternative 'green' non-vehicular access around the town and urban greening of existing routes. Specifically:

- Significant improvements should take place to the accessibility to and between the three key nodes of: the railway station (including the wider Portman Quarter environment), the Waterfront (and particularly the Education Quarter) and the Central Shopping Area;
- Additional east-west highway capacity could be provided within the plan period in the Ipswich area to meet the needs of the wider population and to provide the potential to reallocate some central road space;
- Comprehensive, integrated cycle routes should be provided; and
- Ipswich Borough Council aspires to an enhanced public transport system.

Enhanced flood protection including a tidal surge barrier to be in place to protect the town's existing and expanding communities from the threat of tidal flooding.
To protect and enhance high quality, accessible strategic and local open spaces rich in biodiversity and geodiversity for people to visit and use, and conserve and enhance the historic environment and landscape character of Ipswich, including historic buildings, archaeology and townscape.
To retain and provide high quality schools, health facilities, sports and cultural facilities and other key elements of community infrastructure in locations accessible by sustainable means and in time to meet the demands put on such services from the town's growth and ageing population.
To tackle deprivation and inequalities across the town.
To improve air quality and create a safer, greener, more cohesive town.
To work with other local authorities in the Ipswich Strategic Planning Area and with community partners to ensure a co-ordinated approach to planning and development.

Table 4.1: Compatibility of Local Plan Vision & Objectives with SA Framework

Key:

✔Compatible;

Incompatible;

0 No link between objectives; and

? The link between the objectives is uncertain.

SA Objectives	Vision (V) & Strategic Objectives
SA Objectives	V	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
1 - To reduce poverty and social exclusion	✔	✔	0	✔	✔	✔	✔	0	0	✔	✔	✔	✔
2 - To meet the housing requirements of the whole community	✔	✔	0	✔	✔	✔	✔	0	0	✔	✔	✔	✔
3 - To improve the health of the population overall and reduce health inequalities	✔	✔	✔	?	0	✔	✔	0	0	✔	✔	✔	0
4 - To improve the quality of where people live and work	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	0	✔	✔	✔	✔	0
5 - To improve levels of education and skills in the population overall	✔	0	0	?	0	✔	0	0	0	✔	✔	0	0
6 - To conserve and enhance water quality and resources	✔	✔	0	?	0	0	0	0	✔	0	0	✔	0
7 - To maintain and where possible improve air quality	✔	✔	✔	?	0	0	✔	0	✔	0	0	✔	0
8 - To conserve and enhance soil and mineral resources	✔	✔	0	?	0	0	✔	0	✔	0	0	✔	0
9 - To promote the sustainable management of waste	✔	✔	✔	?	0	0	✔	0	0	0	0	0	0
10 - To reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from energy consumption	✔	✔	✔	?	0	0	✔	0	0	0	0	✔	0
11 - To reduce vulnerability to climatic events and flooding	✔	0	✔	?	0	0	0	✔	0	0	0	0	0
12 - To safeguard the integrity of the coast and estuaries	✔	0	0	?	0	0	0	✔	✔	0	0	0	0
13 - To conserve and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity	✔	✔	0	?	0	✔	✔	✔	✔	0	0	✔	0
14 - To conserve and where appropriate enhance areas and assets of historical and archaeological importance	✔	✔	0	?	0	✔	✔	0	✔	0	0	0	0
15 - To conserve and enhance the quality and local distinctiveness of landscapes and townscape	✔	✔	0	?	0	✔	✔	0	✔	0	0	✔	0
16 - To achieve sustainable levels of prosperity and growth throughout the plan area	✔	✔	0	✔	✔	✔	✔	0	0	✔	✔	✔	✔
17 - To maintain and enhance the vitality and viability of town and retail centres	✔	✔	0	✔	✔	✔	✔	0	0	✔	✔	✔	✔
18 - To encourage efficient patterns of movement, promote sustainable travel of transport and ensure good access to services	✔	✔	✔	?	0	0	✔	0	0	✔	0	✔	0
19 - To ensure that the digital infrastructure available meets the needs of current and future generations	✔	0	0	✔	0	0	0	0	0	0	✔	✔	0

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Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal (includes Non-Technical Summary)

Appraisal of Vision and Objectives